"Ask the Teacher" Airs on Star94!

Standing in front of hundreds of children and speaking - no problem. Parent Teacher Conferences and Back to School Night - a breeze. So why was walking into a studio at the radio station for the first time so nerve racking? I guess it was primarily because this was the beginning of a new direction in my career. I have always loved working with and educating children. Now it is the parents' turn!

If you missed today's segment on Star94 called "Ask the Teacher," you can click on the following link to listen.
http://www.star94.com/podcasts/index.aspx 
(Once the page opens, scroll down to the second cluster of blue links. Click on the one that says "Have no fear parents, Lisa the Learning Lady is here to help!")

After each show I will post a recap and go into a bit more detail in answering the questions. 

"Ask The Teacher" 9/27/10

Question #1
How much help do I offer my child when they have to do projects and homework?

• Most teachers use homework and projects as review or extensions of what is being learned in the class and are aware that parents are around to offer help.
• Helping your child is a great way to spend quality time with them and get a glimpse of what is being taught in the classroom.
• If you find yourself "doing" the work because your child is struggling and having great difficulty, send the teacher an email and let them know that you had to offer a lot of help and that your child really struggled.

Question #2
You see that your child can be distracted while doing homework (texting, music, etc.) How can they get their work done in a more timely manner?

• At the beginning of the school year, talk to your child about how they want to approach homework each day. Do they feel that they need to come home and unwind for a few minutes first (eat a snack, call a friend, watch tv, run around outside, etc.)? Are they the type that wants to sit down, do it and get it over with? Where is a good place to do your homework? Particularly with younger children, establishing a routine can be helpful for them (and for you).
• Set up expectations. We (and our kids) are the generation of multi-taskers. There are many children, especially older ones, that feel that they can complete their work with the radio on or answering intermittent texts/calls here and there. Talk to your children and tell them that you trust they will get their work done and that it will be done well. They need to agree though that if they are not producing quality work or getting their work done in a timely manner, then until the work is done you will remove the distractions! (Hello quiet room with no cell, tv, ipod, etc....)
• Good rule of thumb - Involve your children in the process and give them a voice!

Question #3
My child has tried to test into the advanced placement/challenge classes and has not been accepted. She is being encouraged to test again, but it is hurting her self confidence because she continually does not make the grade. Should I continue to have her test?

• The first thing you need to do is compliment your daughter for not giving up. The fact that she keeps trying her best should be commended.
• Unfortunately, not everyone tests well. While some schools strictly use the grades from the test, others will take into consideration teacher recommendations. If her teachers feel that she performs well enough in class and that she would do well in the challenge classes, then at this point I think you need to talk to them personally. You may be able to point out that she has been asked to test numerous times and that the only thing standing in the way is her test score.
• If the school will go solely on the test score, talk to the teacher that is recommending it and see if she has any tips/tricks/strategies that she can go over with your child that may better prepare her for the test.

Knowledge is Power!

So your child started school and seems to be happy. He comes home each day with positive things to say about his teacher, classmates and school. Still, you worry. Is he doing well academically? Does he follow directions and behave appropriately in class? Has he made new friends? It seems like forever until parent teacher conferences but you also don't want to be a nuisance to the teacher.


You are the parent. You are allowed to be concerned. You need to open the lines of communication.


The best thing that you can do is email your child's teacher. First, thank them for their help during your child's transition into a new school year. Next, mention that you are looking forward to partnering with them throughout the year to best support your child. Finally, let them know that if your child ever struggles with anything or if there is anything that you can do at home, to let you know and you will be on top of it.


As they say, knowledge is power. The more you know about what is going on with your child in class, the more you can support them at home!

A Teacher's Tips and Tricks

Backpacks, pencils, notebooks, crayons. Back to School season is here. Whether your child has started school already or will be starting soon, all parents can use some insider tips and tricks. Using my experience as a classroom teacher, I am here to help! Below are the top 5 tips and tricks for getting back to school.

#1 Anxiety travels through osmosis! If you are nervous about your child beginning school, your child will pick up on that and it can add to their anxiety. It is important to verbalize that new situations can be scary but that they can be exciting as well. Tell them about a time that you had a new experience (maybe you started a new job and didn’t  know anyone) and about the positive outcome. Chances are as you tell the stories, you’ll begin to feel better and have less anxiety too!

#2 Support the sleepy heads! It is always difficult after a fun summer break to get back on a school routine. It is helpful to try getting your child to bed a bit earlier in preparation for early mornings to come. Once school begins, it is also important to try to keep to a similar schedule for the first few weekends so that your child can begin adjusting to their new sleep schedule.

#3 Role out the routine! Figure out a routine that works for your child. While some parents think it is more convenient to have a child do their homework immediately after school, some children need a break to unwind, refuel or even exert some built up energy. You can try a few different routines (all of which include getting their homework finished!) and ask your child which they like best and why. Trust your child! They usually can tell what works best for them.

#4 Careful Questioning! Are you sick of asking your child what they did in school that day and hearing, “Nothing.” It is time to change your style of questioning. When your child steps off the bus or into the car, don’t question them right away. Sometimes they already have things they need to tell you and sometimes they need a few minutes to unwind. You can prep them a little and say, “Think about what you liked best about school today” or “think about something you did in math today.” Give them a little time to think and then ask them to tell you. If your family eats dinner together, you can each take a minute to go around and answer the questions about your day. It is important for all family members to contribute to the conversation.

#5 A is for Appreciation! During the first few weeks of school, teachers work hard to help students transition smoothly. Send your child’s teacher a quick note and let them know how happy your child is at school and how much you appreciate their hard work in getting the year off to a great start. A little appreciation goes a LONG way. It is going to be a long school year. You might as well show the teacher that you are going to partner with them and support them throughout the year!