Keep It Simple- Work Smarter Not Harder

Posted on September 1, 2010 by

I hear of so many teachers that spend 60, 70, 80 hours a week working. I like my job. I love my students. I adore teaching, but we don’t get paid enough to spend that kind of time on our career. And the best part is that you don’t have to.

I work from 6:30 – 4:00 most days. Then, I go home with empty hands and don’t think about school again until the next day. Even maintaining these hours, I am able to run a well organized, exciting, academically driven, high-achieving classroom.

My goal is to provide you with a few quick strategies to streamline your planning, organizing and work so that you can be successful as a teacher and still have a life!

First, plan with a team. In team planning you “share the wealth”. Each teacher brings strengths to the table, and putting them together to plan raises the level of everyone’s plans. Working on a team also gives you the opportunity to bounce ideas off of other people in a non-threatening setting.

If there are not other teachers at your school to plan with, find some in the area. Teaching is, sadly, a mostly isolated profession – teaching, planning, grading, and working alone. Planning shouldn’t be. You’re only as good as your plans, so find other professionals to plan with.

Second, plan “in bulk”. At my school we take one afternoon a week and plan for each subject for a month. The first week we plan reading, the second week we plan math, the third week we plan writing, and so on. In doing this you know what you need in advance, so there is never a last minute rush. This also covers you in case of illness or other unexpected emergency. If you have teaching aides or parent volunteers coming into your room, you know in advance if you need something for them to help you cut, buy, or put together.

Planning in bulk can also help you make sure you are covering all of the standards and expectations. You’re never left hanging in the wind with 3 weeks of school left if you are continually looking forward in big blocks of time.

Third, simplify your lessons. Every lesson does not need to have some cute art project, worksheet or product. The best lessons are lessons that have a clear purpose, concise goal, streamlined teaching and maintain academic flow. My classroom is a “no worksheet” zone. Children do not learn from worksheets. They learn from clear teaching, real-world application and use of all of the senses.

One of my all time favorite teaching tools is plain, white copy paper. You can do almost anything with plain, white paper. There are 100′s of ways to turn it into graphic organizers, stories, books, reviews, word family charts and more. The children feel ownership in their products, and it is authentic assessment. To find great things to do with paper, visit Dinah’s Archives.

I have every type of student in my classroom – just like you: “typical”, gifted, ESE, ADHD, and the list goes on and on. Most of these students do not want to be in a chair all day – they would much rather move! Having a classroom that allows children to learn in the way that they are most capable makes sense. During my day we have tons of music, movement, dancing, writing, drawing, cooperative work, hands-on centers and structured “learning through play”.

Try one of these tips and see if you become a happier teacher with more time for YOU to play!

Kelly is a Kindergarten Teacher in Tampa, Florida with 10 years experience and the creator of elementary-teacher-resources.com. She was born and raised north of Chicago, and went to Illinois State University for a B.S. in Elementary Education and has taught K – 8 Technology, Kindergarten, First Grade, Pre-K, and VE K – 3.
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Simple Ways to Keep a Classroom Positive

Posted on September 1, 2010 by

A positive classroom environment yields positive students who are motivated to learn. Creating a positive classroom is not that difficult, but the rewards are immense and far-reaching. Many teachers find that their days have become ho-hum and boring and some of them dread their jobs. Perhaps your teaching job did not turn out as you had planned. No matter the reason for your displeasure, creating a positive classroom environment can improve your enjoyment of your job and the attitude of the students you are charged with teaching. The tips that follow will help you turn your classroom environment into a positive one.

· Welcome your students. An important part of creating your positive classroom is to make your students feel like you want them to be there. Welcome your students with a smile and tell them how glad you are to see them each day.

· Avoid showing anger. All teachers are going to get upset from time to time, but the key to maintaining a positive attitude is to not show your anger. Stop, breathe, and think. And then move on to something else as soon as possible. Students can sense that you are upset and will appreciate the fact that you didn’t “blow up”. You can be assured that most students know when they cross the line, so why make it worse by going off into a fit of anger? Some students will bait you frequently if they get a hint that you are easy to anger.

· Look at each day in a fresh, new light. Have a bad day today? Tomorrow is a new day, full of new possibilities. Each day that you spend in the classroom is a new opportunity to foster learning. Strive to do better each day, and think of each morning as a new beginning.

· Don’t consider any question as a “dumb” question. No question is dumb, especially to the person who is asking it. Not all students learn at the same level, and you should make all questions seem valid, no matter what. A good method of achieving this is to say (of even “dumb” questions), “I am glad that you asked that, and I’m sure others had the same question.” Turn each question into a positive thing.

· Spread the positivity to parents as well. Making positive calls home is important. Parents like to hear about what their kids are doing, and kids love to be complimented in the presence of their parents. Make it a point to call every parent at least one time during the first few months of school, and follow up with a phone call during the last part of the year as well.

· Accept your students for who they are. Students are always going to dress how they want and regardless of what you might think about it (assuming it’s within the school’s dress code), keep your opinion to yourself. Never comment on a student’s appearance, even if you are pleased with the way that they look (this can make other students feel that you do not like their look). Each student is an individual, and what is important is what is on the inside.

These are just a few simple suggestions for creating a positive classroom environment so that you can enhance your enjoyment of your job and your success as a teacher. Becoming an effective teacher takes time, hard work, and dedication.

Jennifer Dobson is an early childhood educator and she invites you to visit her favorite online teacher store, MPMSchoolSupplies.com, where you can get everything from pretend food sets to puzzle storage. Visit MPMSchoolSupplies.com today and save 10% on your first order!
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Secrets to Keeping Parents Involved in Classroom

Posted on September 1, 2010 by

A parent who volunteers regularly in the classroom can be a lifesaver for a busy teacher. Unfortunately, finding those parents who are willing to volunteer isn’t always so easy. And sometimes it can seem like it’s as much work to keep your volunteers involved as it would be to just do the tasks yourself. Here are some easy ways to keep parent volunteers happy and motivated to help throughout the entire year!

Give a warm welcome to new volunteers. Don’t forget to introduce everyone and be careful not to inadvertently exclude a new volunteer from the conversation. Every volunteer should feel welcome and appreciated. Give new volunteers an opportunity to ask questions and feel a part of the group. And make sure someone is available to show them around the building so they know where the bathroom, supplies and other necessities are located.

Make sure the mission is clear. Sometimes tasks are completed in steps and by different people in assembly line fashion. It will help your volunteers work more effectively if they understand how their part will impact the finished product and what the ultimate goal is. Make sure everyone knows what is expected and when it needs to be completed.

Teamwork rules. One of the most powerful motivators for human beings is the feeling of belonging. Instill a sense of teamwork with volunteers from the start. When a project is completed, congratulate everyone for a job well done, no matter what part they played. Don’t allow cliques within the group to form – they will be counterproductive in the long run.

Listen when volunteers have an idea. It’s easy to get into a rut when things are always done a certain way. Encourage all volunteers to be open-minded when someone has an idea. New people and new ideas are a great way to bring life and excitement to an otherwise hum-drum project that might be due for a change.

Match talent to the project. If you find out a volunteer is a great baker, see if she would like to organize the annual bake sale. Do you have a talented painter in the group? Ask her to paint the backdrop for the class play. Matching someone’s talent and interests to an appropriate task will help create a quality project – and will likely increase future participation.

Get feedback. Check in with your volunteers as often as you can. Find out how a project is going and how they feel about the progress that’s been made. Do they need anything more to complete the task? Frequent contact can head off potential snags and show your volunteers you care about their needs.

Don’t forget to say thank you. Everyone wants to feel appreciated, no matter how insignificant their role. A volunteer must give up personal time to help out, so don’t ever underestimate their value to your classroom’s success. A personal thank-you note, either hand-written or emailed, will go a long way in showing your volunteers they are valued – and needed.

To learn more ideas on how to keep parents motivated order a copy of Turning Parents Into Volunteers.

Jen Dobson has been a preschool teacher for many years and she invites you to visit one of her favorite online stores for teachers, mpmSchoolSupplies.com. The site offers all kinds of great products that make teaching easier. MPM School Supplies carries everything from classroom decorations and craft materials to teacher supplies like pocket charts. Shop today and save up to 70% off retail on select items!
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Using Title 1 Funds to Encourage Parent Involvement

Posted on September 1, 2010 by

First enacted in 1965, The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is the statute that authorizes the federal government to provide educational funding to schools. This act gets revised and renewed by Congress every five years to help the government keep up with the needs of schools and the resources needed to provide children with a quality education.

There are many sections and provisions to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Each section addresses specific needs in our education system and provides funding for specific projects. Title 1 (also known as Title I, Part A or Title One) is the section of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that provides funding for schools with larger populations of lower-income families. This Title 1 funding is part of No Child Left Behind Act, which is part of the more recent legislation in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

As of 2010, there are over 50,000 public schools and educational institutions in the United States who receive Title I money. To qualify for funding, a school must have a certain percentage of families who fall under the United States government guidelines for being a low-income family. This percentage has changed over the years, but recently has been set at 40%.

There are strict guidelines to how schools can spend Title 1 funding. Title One grants / funds must be used to help schools meet the educational and graduation goals for their students. Acceptable use of Title 1 money includes funding to improve curriculum, increase teaching and counseling staff, pay for educational enrichment programs and assemblies, and provide after-school and summer tutoring programs to students.

Parental involvement is an important element to the Title One school program. Schools must have a policy that encourages parental involvement in the education of their child. Elementary and middle schools must also actively provide projects and activities to get parents and students involved. Getting lower income families involved in schools, however, can be a frustrating challenge. The following four easy-to-implement suggestions will help schools meet the parental involvement requirements of Title 1.

Provide free child care at parent meetings

Parent meetings are an important aspect of parental involvement in a school. Parents in lower income families, however, are less likely to be willing to pay for a baby sitter to watch their kids while they come to attend a school meeting. This then becomes are very easy and convenient for parents to not attend. You can eliminate this excuse by offering to provide free child care at the parent meeting. If you plan a fun activity for the students, such as crafts or an entertainer, they will be excited about the evening and encourage the parents to come.

Have a parents-only party

School parent meetings do not have to be all business. Offer parents an incentive to look forward to coming to a school meeting by scheduling a guest speaker, entertainer, or parents-only ice cream social as part of the night.

Switch to Email Newsletters

Printed school newsletters that are sent home with students are more likely to end up squished in the bottom of a backpack than in the hands of the parents they are intended for. If your school offers an option for email delivery of newsletters, you can at least be sure that the newsletters are arriving to the intended recipients. Title 1 funding could be used to help set-up an email newsletter program, either through your school districts internet website provider, or through an email newsletter company such as Mail Chimp or Constant Contact. Parents can be invited to sign-up their email addresses at open houses and during school registration.

Host hands on educational fun nights

Hosting family nights with math, science or reading themes is a way for parents and students to explore educational concepts beyond the classroom. Stations can be set-up around the school where families can do a fun project, activity or game that ties into the theme. Teachers can be available at each station to encourage discussions with parents, as families rotate through the projects.

The station concept allows for an “open house” format to the evening that will accommodate more schedules. You can encourage families to stay for all activities by ending the evening with special refreshments or a performance by an entertaining presenter who does a science demonstration show, reading program, or show about math. Ending with something extra special will end the evening memorably and give a chance for all the school families to come together. The cost of the station activities and educational entertainment show can qualify for appropriate use of Title I funds.

Parent-teacher groups, principals, and teachers who wish to use Title I money for family activities at the school should consult with the Title I coordinator in your building or school district. They will be able to direct you on how to apply for the funds and how much funding may be available in the Title 1 budget.

In-school assemblies and family night educational enrichment programs offered by Midwest School Shows can be brought into schools using Title 1 grants. The math, science, and social studies presentations are a balance of entertainment and reinforcement of curriculum.

Recommended by the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association, Midwest School Shows will work with your Title 1 coordinator to schedule programs for one school or an entire district. Information about all of the performances are available at their school program website.
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Why Schools Need Parent Involvement

Posted on September 1, 2010 by

Numerous researches have been conducted to support the issue that parents who are involved in their children’s education are building the foundations for a better educated child. These children are better adjusted to school which usually leads to life-long learning. Additionally, parental involvement sends a message directly from the parent to the child that education is important.

Parental involvement is directly correlated to reading achievement; reading is emphasized and becomes enjoyable when parents begin reading to their children at a young age. Children begin to understand the importance of reading and monitoring the child’s achievement becomes routine which keeps the child on the right grade level for reading throughout the educational process. Students’ reading performance is a big educational issue in America. Parents who develop a strong educational foundation in reading assist their children in future endeavors and life goals. Another pertinent reason for parents to be directly involved with their children’s education is that deficiencies can be noticed quickly. Early recognition of a child’s strengths and weakness helps to develop a child’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP) and can be addressed in the child’s daily instruction.

Equally important, is the fact that parents who are involved with their children’s education will make sure their home is conductive to learning. This means that the home will have plenty of books available for the children to read. The home will also have a variety of reference materials and tools available, such as: encyclopedias, magazines, a computer and other electronics, pens, pencils, paper, etc. The home usually has a designated area for study which allows for quietness and concentration for school work. Creating an educational atmosphere also includes limiting the amount of television viewed throughout the week. Homework is usually completed at the same time everyday, and if homework has not been issued it is often created by an involved parent.

Parent/Teacher Conferences and volunteer services for activities at school are equally important at demonstrating the significance of an education and building strong bonds for communication. Children observe their parents, and they realize that their education is important to their parent. Furthermore, school officials are appreciative of the parents who are involved and volunteer their services both in and out of the classroom. Parents become knowledgeable on educational issues and school funding sources which often lead to additional learning advantages and opportunities for their child.

The involved parent understands the importance of reading, having an educational environment that is conducive to learning and communicating and volunteering with the school personnel. Parents who are involved in their child’s learning process help them to build a strong educational foundation; these are the students who tend to excel academically and become the top of their class. Parental involvement is not something in which a parent should have a choice but something in which a parent must be involved.

For additional information go to http://www.parentinvolvement101.com

Ronnie Phillips, a very experienced educator and parent.

  
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6 Easy Ways to Find Volunteers

Posted on September 1, 2010 by

As a new school year begins, teachers often wonder how they will be able to accomplish all the activities children look forward to throughout the year. Parties, field trips, hands-on projects — many of these events would be difficult to achieve without parent volunteers. Even more difficult, however, can be figuring out where to find those volunteers. Many parents who initially seem eager to help out are unwilling to commit when volunteers are needed. Win over reluctant parents with these ideas:

Get to know the parents – and your students. Some teachers hold a parents-only coffee at the beginning of the school year. You will have the opportunity to meet parents, and parents can get acquainted with each other. An informal social gathering is a great way to break the ice and encourage a spirit of cooperation that will last the entire school year. It will also give parents and teachers an opportunity to discuss ideas and plans for the year and determine where volunteers are needed most. If you would like to include your students in the fun, schedule a play date at a local park. It will give kids a head start on making friends with their fellow classmates.

Plan ahead. Many schools schedule events before the school year ever begins. Compile this information into a booklet that can be given to parents at the beginning of the year. Include a detailed description of any responsibilities you need volunteers for, whether it’s costume manager for the class play, activity director for the fall carnival or chaperon on a field trip. This will give parents a clear view of what skills each commitment requires and plenty of time to choose in which activity they will participate.

Be specific. When you need help for an upcoming event, let parents know exactly what will be required. You could say: Mrs. Johnson, can you attend the fall party from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.? Parents may be more willing to commit their time if your request is not vague or open-ended.

Volunteers like variety. Some parents like to work hands-on. Others would rather participate from a distance. Whether it’s donating supplies, preparing materials for a class craft project or making cupcakes for a bake sale, offer parents a variety of ways to volunteer. And if your event needs monetary contributions, don’t forget to give parents who can’t volunteer their time the option to donate a dollar, or two, instead.

Remember to remind them. About a week before the event, send a note home to remind your volunteers what part they agreed to play. Keep it simple, but don’t skimp on enthusiasm. Let parents know you’re looking forward to a successful experience that’s made possible through their gracious participation.

Don’t forget to say thank you. Everyone likes to hear that their participation made a positive difference, so don’t forget to show your appreciation for their help. Acknowledge parents who volunteer, no matter how insignificant their contribution. They will be much more likely to help out in the future if their effort is recognized with a hand-written note or email.

Learn more ways to recruit parent volunteers in Turn Your Parents Into Volunteers.

Jennifer Dobson is an early childhood educator who invites you to take a quick look at mpmSchoolSupplies.com, one of her favorite places to get school supplies for the classroom. The site offers tons of incredible products including everything from craft materials and classroom decorations to school furnishings like kids rugs. Shop today and you can save 10% on your entire first order!
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School Fundraising Ideas

Posted on September 1, 2010 by

In today’s world school fundraising is a necessity, but to come up with new school fundraising ideas can be a task for anyone. If you go on the Internet you will find many neat school fundraising ideas that will be more than suitable for your needs. These school fundraisers usually are left up to the parents and the teachers. It can become a monumental undertaking to get this fundraiser together and make it a successful one.

There are many school fundraising ideas that you can choose from, such as a car wash. You will have to choose a safe area to conduct this type of fund raiser, but it is better held near a main street where traffic is fairly heavy to have a good outcome. You can organize a bake sale and have a wide variety of cakes, cookies and breads. This too depends on having a fundraising plan, but is one of the tried and true school fundraiser ideas.

Have a pizza school fundraiser. This will be a popular sale as many people enjoy pizza. You can sell coupons for discounts at pizza places. There are companies where you can order chocolate bars for one of your school fundraising ideas. This is always a popular way to make money. Candles are a sure way to make your fundraising plan a success. There are so many kinds and different scents that everyone will enjoy and prove to be a sure fire hit in any community.

Make sure you have a good fundraising plan before you start. Get your support group together and make sure each one knows the part they will be playing in this school fundraiser. You will need someone to be in charge of handling the money, as well as someone to set up and clean up after your school fundraising is over. So a good fundraising plan is essential for a successful outcome no matter what school fundraising ideas you go with.

If you are really stuck with looking for school fundraising ideas that will not cost you a small fortune up front, try putting off a rummage sale. All you will need is a few volunteers to give a helping hand such as collecting goods donated by the community or things that some of the students have outgrown. When you collect enough and have it sorted, then pick a day for the fundraiser and do your advertising. Everyone loves a rummage sale – it is like the old adage that someone’s trash is another’s treasure.

There’s lots of school fundraising ideas, but not all will work for you.

For a website totally devoted to Fundraising visit Peter’s Website Fundraising Answers and find out about Church Fundraisers as well as Fundraising Strategies and more, including Cheerleading Fundraising, Fundraising Ideas and School Fundraisers.
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Tips for a Successful School Auction

Posted on September 1, 2010 by

Your school is in need of a certain amount of money for projects and special events.  Your focus turns on how to accumulate that specific amount in a particular timeframe. In cases like these, when a school carnival or product sales are not the best means to raise funds, the idea of holding a school auction becomes the main solution to the need.

School auction projects are fun and exciting especially if you have done it for many times and you have already mastered the flow of events.  For newbie’s however, they can be exhausting and complicated in terms of planning, organizing and executing.  These steps are all important to make a school auction profitable and helpful.

Regardless if it is a small or large auction, whether you plan to do it live, silent or online, you must be well aware of the “what’s and how’s” to make it effective and worth your time.  You may want to consider these tips to make it a real hit:

  1. Start planning ahead of time.  In fact, the earlier you start, the better you can organize the details and the processes.  Most private schools prefer to begin six months in advance.  But if you want to take advantage of solicitation to gain more donations, you can plan several months in advance.
  2. Create a work plan and stay well organized.  This is necessary to make the tasks a lot easier and systematized.  Follow your project calendar and call for meetings if there are additional works to do.
  3. Recruit and delegate.  The school cannot do it all alone.  Gather a strong team of volunteers whom you can trust and delegate each of them a role and a responsibility they need to perform.
  4. Advertise and gather plenty of donations. Send out solicitations through mail or door-to-door, involve the students by making artworks and ask parents to collect items or secure at least one donation per family.  You may advertise big items earlier so people can plan their bidding the earliest possible.  Good advertisement is also a key to good promotions to lure as many bidders as you can.
  5. Make your school auction the focus of your event.  Do not complicate it with other school activities such as carnival and game shows on the same day to get your bidders’ full attention.
  6. Hire a professional auctioneer.  Especially on a live auction, a properly trained auctioneer can greatly contribute in making the event fun, lively, and moving up.  He knows how to build anticipation, stimulate bidding wars, and when it is time to close bidding. He is one of the tools in making your school auction project a real standout.  If possible, you can invite a local celebrity as the master of the ceremonies.
  7. Offer special recognition to corporate sponsors.  Make table signs, ad placement in the auction catalog, online recognition through the school’s website, and/or acknowledgment during the on-going event.

 

When all things are said and done, you will realize that fundraising auctions profited from not just the money earned, but most importantly, the teamwork established by all who were involved.

Tips and resources for running your own successful school auction can be found at http://www.schoolauctionblog.com. Roger Carr is the founder and owner of Everyday Giving.

 

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Motivating Parents for School Fundraising

Posted on September 1, 2010 by

Everyone knows that school fundraising is important, especially parents. But when it comes to getting tasks done, it can be hard to get parents to come forward. How can you keep parents motivated to work on a school fundraiser?

Keep these ideas in mind to get parents involved and energized while working on your school project.

1. Clear Goals – When working on a school fundraiser, make sure that parents understand why you are doing this project. Do they know that the band needs new uniforms and funds to attend a special competition? Do they know your school needs new computers? Whatever the need is, make is specific and clear so that parents see a deadline and parents see a specific goal. Giving parents (or anyone), a specific goal makes it feel more achievable. Making your message clear helps them to fully understand the need for the fundraiser.

2. Make It Easy – Some parents may feel confident stepping into a fundraising assignment, but others may not have any experience. If you break down tasks into measurable goals, they may realize that this is something that they can achieve. Sometimes they may also realize that they have done something similar to this at work or for another organization – and this will make them feel more confident going into the task. Breaking down the task also gives them the opportunity to ask questions about what they feel most challenged about.

3. Good Leaders – Every project should have a leader that is concerned with the project, but they should also be concerned with developing future fundraisers for the school. How can they help new parents get involved and do their best for the school? By listening, by being available and by responding to questions. Sometimes simply knowing that someone is there to answer your questions and to listen to you gives you the confidence to go forward with your project.

4. Do Less Fundraising – According to the Association of Fund-Raising Distributors & Suppliers doing less fundraising is truly “less is more” in many ways for your fundraising efforts. If you make many fundraising “pleas” during the year, parents will grow weary of the drives and working on them. Those that donate will also grow tired of giving, or will be unable to give as often as you’d like. Having one or two fundraising efforts a year could be far more successful than many, smaller efforts.

5. Keep the Energy Up – Make your project seem exciting and stay positive about it. No one wants to work on something that is a real drag. Make meetings seem inviting by offering refreshments (coffee and cookies are quite inexpensive). Even if there are parts of your project that are challenging, keep a positive attitude about your fundraising project for your school and remind people that making an effort will have an impact.

6. Listen – Sometimes new volunteers come onto a project and they have ideas that could make a difference. They may be ideas that are a little off-the-beaten path, or they are not from the “tried and true” members of the Committee. Change is often necessary to be successful, and a good school fundraising project is open to change. Simply by listening to your volunteers you can be aware if changes need to be made. This will help you raise more funds and will most importantly, help you have strong relationships with your volunteers. This will keep them quite motivated.

7. Say “Thank You” – Thank volunteers early and often. What would you feel like if you gave your time to a project and people did not even say thank you when you completed it? Probably you would think twice about volunteering for them. Saying “Thank You” is a critical step in motivating volunteers each step of the way. At the end of a project it would be nice to send thank you notes, too. Parents who feel appreciated are more likely to volunteer for the next project.

Keeping volunteers motivated for your school fundraising project can take a little time and a little effort. But volunteers are valuable and our schools need terrific volunteers involved and dedicated to their success!

Parents are essential when fundraising for schools. There’s more info about elementary school fundraisers in the school fundraising directory at: http://www.schoolfundraisingdirectory.com
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How to Develop a Successful Parent & School Partnership

Posted on August 31, 2010 by

The level of success our children can attain depends primarily on us as parents. To be able to give children the support they need, parents must equip themselves with the right tools and information for children to be able to achieve successful lives.

Do not despair if your child did not get into your first choice school, there are ways in which you can help your child achieve good education grounding in the school they attend. You can turn the admission around by working in partnership with the school to create the right atmosphere and education standard for your child.

As parents, we need to be actively involved in our children’s education, irrespectively of the school they attend be it independent, state or faith school. Research shows that schools are successful when there is the active involvement of parents to get the best out of every child.

Awareness

Parents need to be aware of how the UK education system works, how schools operates, their policies and what principles govern their academic structure. Your understanding of the school system will help in providing the necessary support for your child to achieve education excellence.

Be aware of what your child is learning in school, teachers make considerable effort by providing regular updates of lesson plans, learning objective and expected outcome. Parent/Teacher evening is also another forum organised by schools to keep parents up to date on their child’s performance. Parents should make it a matter of duty to attend these sessions as they provide valuable insight into your child’s learning experience. Ask questions about your child’s progress in school, make notes of where additional support is required and work towards higher academic achievement.

Partnership

Every parent should strive to develop a relationship with their children’s school, support their work and do not be a constant critic. It is important that parents demonstrate support for school policies and strategies used to develop the child’s education.

There are several ways you may get involved in your child’s school, these include:

Parent Governor

A parent governor is a very important role in the school. It is part of the school’s governing body which is responsible for the school’s aims, values and ethos. They work in collaboration with the head teacher to decide school policies, management of the school, dealing with education performance and ways to develop and enhance the school’s education output and social relevance.

A lot of parents assume that only professionals can be a school governor – though certain skills will help, all new school governors are provided with appropriate training. The main criterion is to be willing to make a positive impact in the lives of the children in the school. So the next time you want to criticise a school policy, rather ask yourself how you can improve the situation.

Regular Volunteers

Another way you can partner with your child’s school is to volunteer your time on a regular basis. Some school welcome volunteers to assist in the class, it might be for reading sessions, arts and crafts or a simple sing-a-long session. Volunteering in your child’s school has many benefits; it also boosts your child’s morale when you take an interest in their work.

You may also offer your time to accompany the class on school outings; this is a great way of observing your child’s behaviour in an external environment and how he or she relates with others. If you have technical skills, you may help with updating the school’s website or other duties required within the school. You can also volunteer to make costumes for the school play etc.

Parents Teachers Associations

PTAs are an integral part of schools in the UK, their main objective being to foster a good relationship between the school, parents and community. Many parents volunteer to promote the activities of the PTA within the school. PTA organise sports club, drama classes, fundraising and other social events. They also provide a forum to discuss education concerns in some schools. It is worth getting involved with the PTA even if you cannot afford regular input, the team will surely appreciate whatever input parents can provide.

Novel Ideas

There are always innovative ways in which you can get involved in your child’s school. You can also make suggestions for new ideas to be taken on board and implemented in the school.

Whatever opportunities the school provides – make sure you do not sit on the fence and be a critic. Always remember that your contribution is vital to your child’s development and achievement in school.

Awareness and knowledge are crucial tools for parents who want to give their children a good education. Education Awareness Program provides seminars, literature and workshops to help parents understand how best they can support their children’s education and development. Visit their website at http://www.educationawarenessprogram.co.uk for more information on their seminar dates.
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