January 9, 2012
Dear Sunrise Families,
As we enter into the deeper part of winter, we are fast approaching TCAP (Transitional Colorado Assessment Program) season and Spring Parent/Teacher conferences. Our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will soon begin taking their reading, writing, math and science tests while our teachers will be preparing progress reports and conference schedules. Now is an excellent time to focus on the patterns and routines in place to assist your child in being focused on his/her reading and nightly homework assignments. The new grading period is often an excellent time to examine your student’s study skills. The difference between children who do poorly in school and those who do well often relates to what their parents do at home to help. When parents take the time to help, it can influence school success as much or more than a child’s intellectual capacity or the quality of the school he or she attends. Good study skills will provide your child with some basic tools needed to succeed in school. So, what can you do to help?
HELP WITH A STUDY SCHEDULE
The time arranged for study should occur at the same time each day. Most children, like adults, are creatures of habit. When they get used to doing something at the same time each day, it becomes easier to remember and do rather than if it occurs at different times each day. Work with your child to set aside times to study when he or she is most alert. Involve your child in making the schedule. Children are more likely to accept a study schedule that they have been involved in setting up rather than one that has been imposed upon them. Help your child be realistic in the amount of time scheduled.
HELP WITH STUDY GOALS
Develop goals based on homework assignments. Three or four small goals that your child can attain one by one work better than one large goal. Check off each goal as it is completed. This helps provide the incentive to keep going. Underlining or highlighting important key ideas, facts, and details to be remembered also can be helpful. The process of putting things into categories can help your child recognize, understand, and remember essential information. Take a few minutes at regular intervals to reflect on what was just learned. If your child understands what was just studied, he or she will be able to visualize it and talk intelligently about it during reflection time. If not, encourage your child to re-read or re-study the material.
RECOGNIZE ACHIEVEMENTS
A child who receives recognition for academic achievements is much more likely to want to excel in school. Thus, focus on what your child does right – that is, look for achievements. Remember that the major key to improving your child’s success is making him or her feel successful. (Abridged from Stainback’s “How to Help Your Child Succeed in School,” from NEA online).
Respectfully,
Chris Hardy
Principal Sunrise Elementary