by Ann Mitchell | Jul 16, 2021 | Home
25 Helpful Tips for Going Back to School
Going back to school can be a stressfu time for everyone. I hope these 25 helpful tips for going back to school will help ease some of your stress.
Morning Routine:
When it comes to getting ready for school the morning seems to be the worst time. Everyone needing to be at either work or school or even daycare all at the same time it seems
- Breakfast – to have a successful day breakfast should be included. A bowl of their favorite cereal with fruit or a glass of juice.
- Schedule – look at the schedue / calendar to see if there is anything important to do for the day. Make a note of it so you don’t forget.
- Brush teeth, hair and get everything to go.
After school time:
Boy, do I remember this time. Kids would come in the door and throw their backpacks and jackets where ever they pleased. Most of the time it was on the floor right in front of the door. UGH!
- Homework time: this is the time you as a knowledgeable parent should be going through the backpack. Don’t just ask them, “DO you have any homework tonight?” I remember I used to do that then I realized I would get the same answer, “Nope!” everyday. So go through that backpack, get the lunchbox out and see if there are any notes from the teacher.
- I have a homework tip sheet as a freebie.
- Planner: many schools require children to have a planner nowadays. If they don’t it is a good idea for a child to have one. This will help as they grow up and go onto middle school and high school. If required make sure you look at it and initial it. A good way for you to remember that you have looked at it.
- Last step: after the homework is done and the backpack has been sorted out the last step is to put everything back in so that it is ready to go for in the morning. Set it by the front door.
- Snack time: just as our day was busy the kids were busy at school. They probably are starving. So a quick snack of fruit or granola will probably tie them over until dinner.
Evening Routine:
This time of the day can be as busy as you make it or quiet as it can be. Each family is different. There may be sports, piano lessons, tutoring or chores. After dinner is over and the dishes are clean. Let’s get ready for some quality family time.
- Prep for the morning: backpacks by the door, shoes and coats lined up. Pick out the clothes to wear and se them out. Bath or shower completed and ready for bed.
- Family time: for as long as I can remember school nights have been busy. It is important to make some family time. Before you know it the time will not be there. Believe me!
25 Helpful Tips for Back to School
- Get a routine
- Reuse last years supplies to save a little money.
- Get a planner
- Set up a communication center, for all activities
- Establish family time
- Take a short break either before or after homework time
- Snack time
- Arrange playdates if appropriate
- Visit the school with your child to get familiar with the environment
- Meet the teacher
- Make a homework area and keep organized
- Arrange for a tutor if needed
- Set a timer for homework and tv time
- Regular weekday schedules, bedtimes, tv times
- Model good behavior when stressed
- Create time for sports
- Create a morning checklist
- Check and sign the planner
- Ask for help if needed
- Make lunch for the morning
- Create a meal plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Talk to your child about setting a goal ( number of books, staying organized)
- Schedule a treat day
- Meet their friends
- Have a great school year
by Ann Mitchell | Aug 31, 2018 | Home
Does your child struggle in both reading and math? As a Special Educator and a tutor, I have worked with many children who not only struggled in reading but struggled with math as well. During this past year, I have researched about the difficulties students have in school (reading and math). I mainly tutor struggling readers and have a concrete plan on how to close that gap quickly but math is different (for me it always has been) until recently. So if you have any questions about either please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Reading
When kids struggle with reading they struggle with self-confidence. When they come home from school saying that they cannot read the same chapter books as their friends. I totally understand. Sometimes tears are shed during homework time at the kitchen table, even getting them to read for twenty minutes before bed is a lost cause. I have worked with children since 2008 on their reading skills. Online tutoring has not only grown but helps raise that confidence in the privacy of your own home with books that are at their level.
Homework Suggestions
I offer a FREE Reading Assessment using the QRI 5. I assess sight words and vocabulary understanding. Over time you will see that smile, the enjoyment of reading and the headaches are gone.
Math
When I was young I had the hardest time with math. If it was not for my math college professor that showed me how math works in the real world and made it fun I actually did my problems set to music (humming really). You won’t ever catch me singing. Talking about singing you use math. Gardening you use math. Cooking a meal you definitely use math. Who’s hungry?
I have plenty of resources and professional development courses on different resources and assessments on how to help students with math. Examples would include hands-on / multi-sensory learning. Have a number line available, work on tracing the numbers so that they know the symbols and amounts. Just as in reading somethings just need to be memorized.
First, if your child is struggling in both reading and math is to stay in close contact with the school. (teachers. counselors, principal) If you do not see any improvement after a few months, for example from the beginning of the school year until just before the holiday break in December. So that if testing needs to be completed they can schedule it for right after they return to school. A request for testing needs to be in writing to any of the people listed above.
Second, reach out to me with any questions and a FREE assessment, which is never a reason for tutoring but of course, it is always offered. Check out my website Castle Rock Online Reading Tutor and if you would like to schedule something please let me know. An excellent resource for more information is http://www.wrightslaw.com/ has come in handy quite a bit in my journey as a Special Educator.
The MORE that you READ, the more THINGS you will KNOW.
The MORE you LEARN, the more PLACES you’ll GO! – Dr. Suess
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by Ann Mitchell | Nov 15, 2017 | Home
3 TIPS FOR BETTER READING
“…..because every picture tells a story….”
Did your parent’s ever say, “sound it out” when you struggled on a word? I know I have said that a million times. There are so many different ways you can help your child when they struggle with some of the words while reading. Of course, we all know the five finger trick, right? No? First and foremost when children begin to read and pick out their own books at the library. Going to the library is so cool! First, pick a page then have them read. It doesn’t matter what page it is. If they make five mistakes on one page that book is too hard for them. If they read and only make two maybe three mistakes that is what we call a Just Right Book.
the three tips that can help your child with some of those stubborn words are:
- Just try again. If your child gets stuck have them reread and try again. Then…
- Did it make sense to you? Ask them if that word made sense to them. If you see that the word is completely wrong have them reread and see if it makes sense. For example: if the sentence says, That boy has a green hat on his head. They say the word green as blue have them look at the picture and the word. Ask them again does that make sense?
- Does that sound right? Does it look right? These two suggestions can go together because if you see that the child said blue instead of green ask, Does that look right, Does that sound right? What sound does the letter /b/ make? What sound does the letter /g/ make? Just having the children recognizing the letters and sound differences will help them to remember.
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Believe me as a mom and a teacher I have seen children struggle with reading in the classroom setting. Now as I tutor children I enjoy seeing their eyes light up and with the support, we can provide your family and especially your child. We can work together to help your child excel.
This Reading Mama has some great material and apps you can use with your child.
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